This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalizationall in a highly accessible narrative text.

Presents the work of a top anthropologist-writer in the field Appeals to interdisciplinary interests in Anthropology, African Studies as well as ethnography writing, literature, and sociology Expands on the widespread interest in magical practices and the clash of western and emerging cultures

Autorentext

Paul Stoller is Professor of Anthropology at West Chester University, USA. He has been conducting anthropological research for more than 30 years in West Africa (Niger) and among African immigrants in New York City. In 2015, The American Anthropological Association awarded him the Anthropology and Media Award (AIME) in recognition of his longstanding Huffington Post blog that brings to the general public an anthropological perspective on politics, higher education, culture and media.

Klappentext

This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalization-all in a highly accessible narrative text.

Inhalt

Part One: Paris, 2000.- Part Two: Tillaberi, Niger 2000-2001.- Part Three: Niger/Paris 2001.- Epilogue.